GED HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT FOR 2009 ANNOUNCED

Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris was in Saskatoon today to present Christopher Seitz with the 2009 General Educational Development (GED) National Award for Outstanding Achievement for the province of Saskatchewan. Norris presented the award with Dr. Robert G. McCulloch, SIAST president and CEO.

"The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes the importance of attaining a high school completion credential and I congratulate Mr. Seitz on his tremendous accomplishment," Norris said. "The GED Grade 12 Equivalency Diploma is key to obtaining further education and opening employment opportunities."

The GED award is presented annually to the individual receiving the highest total score of nearly 1,400 people writing the GED tests in the province during the year.

"Chris' exceptional GED performance bodes well for his post-secondary success," McCulloch said. "Chris is well positioned to pursue future learning and to capture the many benefits available through education."

GED provides adults with the opportunity to earn a high school completion credential, the GED Grade 12 Equivalency Diploma. Candidates must complete a set of five tests covering math, science, reading, writing and social studies. The five GED tests, which last more than seven hours over two days, also measure communication, information processing, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Since 1971, more than 59,000 Saskatchewan adults have earned their GED Grade 12 Equivalency Diploma.

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For more information, contact:

Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170